A review by berrytown
The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab

adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

it pains me to give this book such a low rating but it was such a tragic let down after the original trilogy i have to. the original cast of characters seem wooden in comparison to their former depictions while the new characters have only the vague notions of a personality. 

this book makes a mess of its use of non-linear storytelling because it can’t quite commit to doing so. as a result, most of the book is told in flashbacks to info dump on the reader. it makes the experience of reading feel like drudgery and is more akin to reading a script rather than a story.

the twists were predictable which wouldn't be so damning if the lead up managed to be fun but it’s bogged down but so much over-explanation that you cannot even relish the in between bits. also, unsurprisingly every woman introduced in this book is reduced to some villain or badass caricature, it’s exhausting.